Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-06-25
NAVAL TRAINING.
Annual Report and recommendation
orshe Annapolis Board OF Visitors.

orshe Annapolis Board of Visitors.
The annual report OF the board OF wish
tors to the United States naval academy
at Annapolis Nd, made to the secretary
OF the navy was made public the 10th. 1t
is an extremely voluminous document and
treats with great detail the various
branches OF study, the condition OF the
buildings and grounds, and the needs oil
the academy, both as to enlarged facilities
and higher branches OF study. The most
important recommendation made in the re-
port. and one which is insisted upon with
much emphasis, is that after the three
years course, special course OF one year
should follow and the cadet should, with
the approval of the superintendent of the
academy, be allowed to select his special
study. Upon this point the report says:
The advantages OF educating specially
are now so well understood and so univer-
sally acknowledged that no argument III
favor of the general proposition seems nee
essary, and is quite apparent that the
reasons which now commend it generally to
experienced educators apply now here with
more force than over. The importance OF
thorough technical education for those
who are in the future 10 build our ships
and plan or supervise the construction Of
engines to run them cannot be over.esti'
mated. To accomplish this end the board
recommends that the studies OF the fourth
year be arranged by the academic board in
groups, that one OF these shall save espe-
cial reference to the training required for
the service in the line and the Others to the
training for service as naval engineers,
naval constructors and other like officers;
that mt the end OF the four years course
the board think the cadets should either
he commissioned ordiseharged aud permit
ted So begin life anew. The board is also
Of the opinion that il would be advisable
to so amend the regulations governing the
admission OF cadets to the academy to give
the academic board the same power to
pass upon the physical as upon the intel.
iectual examination OF applicants"
Various suggestions are made for the
better arrangements OF the quarters en-
largement OF the buildings the improve
ment ni those now standing and the cree
ton OF those which are needed. The great
gun exercise, firing at target, drill OF the
battalion. and the various exercises in
fencing and small arms, were very satisfac-
tory to the board. which says that they
reflect great credit on the department OF
ordnance and gunnery. In conclusic1 the
report COngratulates the management TINT
the ''inhuman and cowardly practice OF
'hazing' is almost obsolete." The books
OF the storekeeper were found correct and
well kept, and the manner OF keeDing the
accounts with the cadets was characterized
as admirable" The report is signed: d.
b. fIarmeny, commodore United States
navy, president; George Gray, United
5 ates senate, yice-president; Hilary A.
Herbert, hOnse OF representatives, MEM
Der; John ID. Savers, house OF representa-
tives, member; Vim. A. Wallace, member;
H. S. Van Eaton, member d. C. Gilman,
member; A. S. Horgan. member; Thomas
A. Logan, member; w. G. Sumner, men,
Der.